Does This Mean He Can Burn His Lifeguard Uniform? - Stab Mag

Live Now — Episode 3 Of Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico

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The nicest guys surf the angriest. Photo: Pat Bond

Does This Mean He Can Burn His Lifeguard Uniform?

7 minutes of spinning, sliding, and tube-shooting that might get this man out of the guard tower.

elsewhere // Oct 24, 2022
Words by Christian Bowcutt
Reading Time: 2 minutes

“I can’t be fucked with the rashie,” Zack McMahon responded when asked about the QS.

Zack has been stacking footage for over a year for “Joy,” which feels to us like a breakout edit. But, if the comp life isn’t paying the bills, what is?

Turns out Zack divides his time working for 7 months as lifeguard and spending the remaining 5 months chasing waves around Australia. He also picks up jobs “moving bricks” when he can.

Much of the A+ footage you’ll see from the 21-year-old comes from such 5-month stint, which he spent in the nether regions of Australia. Zack said their deposit on the poor minivan was not returned after the inspector found scratches, dents, coffee stains, and an undeniable smoky scent lingering in it.

Whoops.

Zack, filmer Tom Hoy, and friends held a premier last week in Newcastle, where they raised money for people affected by the flooding in Evans Head and surrounding areas. They were in a mad scramble to finish the movie, only polishing off the final touches minutes before showtime.

Can your lifeguard surf this well? Photo: Pat Bond

Since a glimpse of Zack’s surfing on a WSL broadcast can’t be expected, I’m hoping to get more McMahon clips in my inbox soon. Now a member of the prestigious Globe team, a cameo on one of Joe G’s famous films could be on the horizon for him.

Thankfully for all of us, no rashie will be required. 

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